igniteXL Ventures’ Post

🎉 Thrilled to share that I’ve been promoted to Head of Content and Marketing at LDV Capital! This month marks 5 years since I joined Evan Nisselson and the incredible team. It’s been an unforgettable journey – my first role in the #VC space – and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to work with brilliant entrepreneurs, explore cutting-edge #AI solutions across sectors and provide our portfolio companies with marketing & PR hands-on support! When people ask what I love most about my job, I use this metaphor: at a startup, you're in a vehicle headed toward a specific destination. You have the roadmap, know every detail about the car, the route and the goal, with laser focus on getting there. But at a VC firm, you jump into different vehicles every day. Each is going to a unique destination, through varying landscapes. You’re still laser-focused, but you learn so much more in a shorter time frame. One moment, I’m collaborating with founders of a healthcare startup, and the next, I’m “switching lanes” to help a company innovating in construction.   The only role that might be even more dynamic is that of an analyst – they dive deep into technologies, industries and trends all day long! And speaking of analysts... If you've made it this far, here’s some exciting news: 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘁! Check out the role description on our website and feel free to reach out with any questions.

The latest Sifted survey on the relationship between founders and VCs is unsurprising. Accelerators and VCs provide some support but don't have the capacity to dive deep into things like product development and go-to-market. Many rely on an army of junior analysts and "investment managers" who have never built anything... On the mental wellness side, I will write a specific post. After going through three accelerators, it was clear that what was missing for pre-seed/seed founders like myself was more focus and deep-dive sessions with experts on building a product that gets traction. My thoughts: ➡ The need for product-led accelerators and startup collectives that have real expertise in AI, software and hardware ➡ I recommend hiring fractional Cs in seed to series A to bring in expertise in things you are not "good at" as a founder ➡ With your investors/VCs, only focus on one area, one thing that your startup needs and don't expect the moon. During our time at Pi Labs, I got my friend Veer M to help us model our cash flow and refine our pitch to investors. We were grateful for their support on this. Founders in my network, I am happy to chat and share my experience if you face tough challenges. Keep going!

Looking to join a VC (Tier A firm > $100Mn in fund-size) ?  Here's a quick guide on (how to predict) 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 to approach them for potential job opportunities: 1️⃣ UNDERSTAND THEIR FUND CYCLE If they announced their last fund about 2.5 years ago, they are likely preparing to raise a new one. This typically means they’ll expand their team in around 6 months (plus or minus). 2️⃣ EVALUATE THEIR PERFORMANCE There are two scenarios you should consider: (𝐀) If the fund is 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 4 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝: - Check and list down their portfolio performance over the last 3-4 years. - If they’ve had solid outcomes of startups invested in ( ~1 unicorn, 2-3 soonicorns, or a few minicorns based on the stage), - they’re likely to raise a larger fund soon and expand their team. That's your window! (𝐁) If the fund has been around for 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 4 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬: 1. Asses all conditions in point (A) 2. Also assess investments made 8 years to 5 years back. 3. If they’ve had notable successes like unicorns and multiple soonicorns, 4. hence they are or will be returning good capital back to their LPs 5. Means they will increase fund size = they'll likely scale & hire. (within 6 months period same as point 1️⃣ _______________________________ 3️⃣ If neither case 1️⃣ or 2️⃣ in a resounding YES, the firm maybe struggling While there could be less hiring, there may be entry-level opportunities (often filled through agencies or lateral hiring) due to: - 2 year Analyst programs (keep eye on when most analysts have joined - use LinkedIn) - Employee churn due to under-performance / scale down / restructuring (difficult to predict) Pro tip: Lateral hires tend to happen when there's more churn than the hiring tenure, so timing and network are key. Comment if you have / need any other insights Share with someone who might find this useful #VentureCapital #Job #CareersInVC

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗖 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗱 🔎 I’ve noticed many founders aren’t familiar with the roles within a VC fund, including my own role and influence as a Limited Partner (LP). Most common roles in VC: 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 (𝗟𝗣) ↳ Investors in the fund, like pension funds, endowments, or individuals. ↳ Fund the VC but don’t participate in day-to-day decisions. 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 (𝗚𝗣) ↳ Active fund managers with investment and industry experience. ↳ Raise capital, select startups, manage the portfolio, and support founders. ↳ Compensation: Management fees (usually 2%) and “carry” (typically 20% of profits). 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 ↳ Senior GP, often founder of the fund. ↳ Oversees fund strategy, operations, and LP relations. 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 ↳ Part-time experts, like founders or industry specialists. ↳ Help source deals or advise startups in specific areas. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 ↳ Experts in functions like sales or operations. ↳ Work closely with startups to support growth and tackle challenges. 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 ↳ Senior team members who help GPs with deals, often on the path to becoming GPs. 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 ↳ Junior member who researches industries and startups. 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘁 ↳ Entry-level, focused on market data and analysis. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗩𝗖: Applying cold to a VC, usually through their process (website), means that an intern (or analyst) will first review your pitch to see if it fits the fund's thesis (market, stage, geography). Check this before you apply! You need to pass this "firewall" before you move up the chain of command. Larger VC funds review hundreds of decks per week. This is why I always advocate to create concise teaser decks! The best way to approach a VC is always through a warm intro. This can be from another portfolio founder, an LP or a venture partner / scout. Happy fundraising 💰 ____________________________ Sharing my experience as an ex-operator and active angel investor. Investing in early stage B2B (enterprise) SaaS startups with traction. Follow for more posts like this.

📊 Why Startups Need a Business Analyst: The Secret to Smarter Growth! In the chaotic and dynamic world of startups, a Business Analyst (BA) is the strategic thinker who bridges the gap between ideas and execution. Here’s why having a BA is crucial: ✅ Driving Data-Driven Decisions: BAs analyze data to identify opportunities, trends, and areas for improvement, enabling smarter decisions. ✅ Streamlining Processes: They refine workflows, ensuring operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. ✅ Aligning Stakeholders: BAs act as a translator between technical teams and business leaders, ensuring everyone is on the same page. ✅ Mitigating Risks: By forecasting potential challenges, they help startups navigate hurdles before they become roadblocks. ✅ Shaping Strategy: A BA doesn’t just solve problems—they identify growth opportunities, giving startups a competitive edge. A Business Analyst is more than just a problem-solver—they’re a growth enabler, ensuring your startup’s journey is data-backed and future-ready! 🚀 #BusinessAnalysis #Startups #StrategicGrowth #DataDrivenDecisions #Entrepreneurship #ProcessOptimization

Investment position in Madrid

✴️ Here are some exciting market moves from last week in the US! 🇺🇸 With Thanksgiving behind us, these innovative companies are making waves with recent funding rounds and are also looking to grow their teams. If you're considering a career move, these organizations are worth checking out: Wherobots (San Francisco, CA) 🏭 Industry: Geospatial Analytics and AI Founded by Mo Sarwat, Jia Yu, Wherobots raised $21.5M (Series A) to enhance AI-powered geospatial analytics, enabling businesses to gain deep insights from location data. Investors include Felicis, Wing Venture Capital, Clear Ventures, JetBlue Ventures, and #P7Ventures. ❗ Hiring: 9 open positions - https://bit.ly/3VhvJiM 👤Tagging Mo Sarwat - Co-founder - learn more about opportunities at Wherobots. Range (McLean, VA) 🏭 Industry: AI Wealthtech Founded by Fahad Hassan and David Cusatis, Range raised $28M (Series B) to expand their AI-driven wealth management platform that provides personalized financial advice. This round was led by Cathay Innovation and Gradient Ventures. ❗ Hiring: 9 open positions - https://bit.ly/41eFMcg 👤 Tagging Harper Webb - Talent Acquisition to connect about their hiring needs. PlayAI (Palo Alto, CA) 🏭 Industry: AI Founded by Hammad Syed and Mahmoud Felfel, PlayAI secured $21M (Seed) to develop AI voice models for natural and emotive conversations. Investors include 500 Global (Lead), Kindred Ventures, and Pioneer Fund. ❗ Hiring: 5 open positions - https://bit.ly/4eTNRGj 👤 Tagging Mahmoud Felfel - Co-founder to explore hiring opportunities. Halcyon (Austin, TX) 🏭 Industry: Cybersecurity Founded by Jon Miller and Ryan Smith, Halcon raised $100M (Series C) to expand their anti-ransomware and cyber resilience platform. Led by Evolution Equity Partners, with support from Bain Capital Ventures and ServiceNow Ventures. ❗ Hiring: 10 open positions - https://bit.ly/3ZuUWc0 👤 Tagging Christine (Doherty) Lavoie - Talent Acquisition Manager for more details on roles. 🇺🇸 Constrafor (New York, NY) 🏭 Industry: SaaS, FinTech Founded by Anwar Ghauche and Douglas Reed, Constrafor raised $14M (Series A) led by NFX,  enhance their SaaS and fintech platform for construction administration and financing. ❗ Hiring: 10 open positions - https://bit.ly/3VhvtAg 👤 Tagging Khaskil Amirov - VP of People for more info on opportunities. Great to see these companies driving growth! If you're exploring your next career step, they might be just the opportunity you're looking for. #StartupFunding #HiringNow #CareerOpportunities #Innovation

Do you want to learn what it takes to launch a startup with the highest probability of success? Check out the link below and come work with us!

🚀 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫! 🚀 Titan Capital is on the hunt for a new investment team member to join our small but mighty team!
 At Titan Capital, you'll get to wear many hats, gaining exposure to every aspect of venture capital — from sourcing deals to conducting due diligence and supporting our portfolio companies in making their mark on the world. ✨ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥? - Hands-On Experience: We’re a collaborative team, which means you’ll be involved in nearly every part of the VC journey. - Work with Founders: Be at the forefront, working closely with amazing founders and helping them turn their dreams into reality. - Accelerate Your Growth: If you're curious, ambitious, and thrive in a high-paced environment, this is your chance to learn from the best while making a real impact. 🔎 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫? - Early stage investing experience even if it is writing small personal cheques! 💡📈 - Curious & Ambitious: A natural passion for innovation and learning. - Relationship Builder: You’re great at connecting with founders and industry partners. - Self-Starter: A proactive problem solver with a high sense of urgency. Bonus: Operating experience! 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: - Experience in operating roles, founders’ office, investment banking, venture capital, corporate development, M&A, strategy, or consulting. - Full-Time Role: Ready to take on this next big challenge with a full-time commitment. - Network: Established connections within the PE/VC community - Location: Work from office in Gurgaon and travel for meetings 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞: - A self-starter with a supreme work ethic, who thrives on seeking out and completing ambitious goals - Deep understanding of startup ecosystem, market trends and key players. - Excellent communication, networking, and relationship-building skills with founders, experts, and investors. - Strong number and analytical skills and the ability to plan and execute effectively. - An in-depth understanding of the investment/VC industry 🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭? Apply now by filling out the form linked in the comments below. *Applications close tomorrow! #VentureCapital #Hiring #JoinUs #InvestingInTheFuture #Startups #Fintech #D2C #VCHiring